Oldham is set for transformative change with the introduction of the £70 million SportsTown project, aimed at revitalizing the area around Boundary Park, home of Oldham Athletic Football Club. This ambitious regeneration initiative includes constructing state-of-the-art sports facilities, including a new 3G pitch and a 3,000-seat netball stadium, as well as enhancing educational opportunities focused on health and sports.
Announced during a press conference on March 17, 2025, the SportsTown development is a collaborative effort between Oldham Athletic and the local council. The project has secured initial funding of £5 million from the government’s Community Regeneration Fund, which will help to kickstart the development. Oldham Athletic chairman Frank Rothwell expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating it would "build a legacy, give young people real opportunities, and put Oldham on the map."
Darren Royle, the club’s chief executive, emphasized the potential benefits of the initiative, stating, "This funding going to set things in motion for something truly game-changing. We’re not here to mess about." The layout of the development includes facilities for multiple sports, aiming to attract not just football enthusiasts but rugby, netball, and cricket players as well.
The SportsTown project intends to tackle what local officials refer to as the "brain drain" phenomenon, where talented young people leave Oldham for educational opportunities elsewhere. Currently, the town has some of the lowest participation rates in higher and additional education within the Greater Manchester area. By creating these new facilities, the initiative hopes to keep young people engaged with educational pathways aligned with their interests.
At the press event, council leader Arooj Shah remarked, "This will be life-changing for so many people across Oldham". She spoke to the project's potential impact, particularly on local youth, many of whom may not thrive within traditional educational settings. Shah noted the importance of engaging youth through their love for sports, stating, "What we want to do is bring their love for sport and give them qualification out of them and help them get on in life. This isn't just about sports; it's also about gaining qualification and really getting on and building solid careers."
The redevelopment also aims to provide facilities for players involved with Oldham's academy, addressing gaps left by the withdrawal of local clubs from the English Football League (EFL) academies. With Bury, Rochdale, and Oldham diminishing their youth setups, the need for quality training grounds has never been more pronounced.
Mike Ford, managing director of Oldham Rugby League Football Club, also heralded the plans as pivotal for the town, viewing the £5 million funding as "a springboard for future investment to realize the full SportsTown vision". The project is particularly significant as it aims to expand women's sports as well, setting the stage for increased participation across the spectrum.
Matt Bulmer, Director of Education Early Years Skills at Oldham Council, highlighted the integral connection between education and sports within the initiative, stating, "Education isn't an add-on to all of this—it's central and pivotal to the vision of SportsTown." He reinforced the importance of providing local residents, particularly those vulnerable or at risk, pathways to achieve qualifications through sport, echoing the sentiments of council members and community leaders alike.
The collaborative goals shared between Oldham Athletic and the council promise not just to reshape the sports culture of Oldham but to instill lifelong skills and provide greater qualification accessibility. SportsTown envisions fostering partnerships with local universities and health organizations to support the educational element of the program.
For siblings Luke Rothwell and Su Schofield, children of the club’s owner Frank Rothwell, the project's vision extends to helping their community members tackle life's challenges, thereby giving the town’s youth access to opportunities. Luke expressed, "We want to make this accessible for all young people, creating pathways for those who might otherwise struggle to find them. We've got to look after our vulnerable people."
Community engagement has been at the heart of the SportsTown proposal since its inception. Through partnerships with educational institutions, the hope is to encourage students who were initially uninvolved to take part and discover new career opportunities within sports. Alderman Shah signaled the council's full support for the development, emphasizing the project’s primary goal: enriching the lives of Oldham residents.
The SportsTown development's potential impact on the locality appears promising, generating excitement among community figures, club officials, and residents alike. It stands poised not just to improve the physical fabric of Oldham but to instill confidence and growth opportunities for its young inhabitants.
